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extended these experiments and arrived, with one or two 
exceptions, at the same results. But in the course of his 
researches he encountered some reactions which revealed to 
him that the presence of sewage matter in saccharic water is 
in itself not sufficient to produce fungoid growth, but that 
the presence of phosphates in some form is indispensable to 
such production. Professor Frankland further found that 
the germs which give rise to the development of fungi need 
not necessarily come from sewage contamination, but that 
they may be derived from the atmosphere. Finally, he found 
that animal charcoal does not remove those germs. Dr. 
Frankland thinks that the sugar test of Dr. Heisch for the de- 
tection of traces of sewage contamination may be turned into 
a very delicate reagent for the detection of minute quantities 
of phosphates ; for when these defy the power of the usual 
laboratory tests, they yet are capable of feeding those germs, 
and thus giving rise to the fungoid growth. From all his 
observations Professor Frankland draws the following conclu- 
sions :—1. Potable water mixed with sewage, urine, albumen, 
and certain other matters, or brought into contact with 
animal charcoal, subsequently develops fungoid growth, and 
other organisms, when small quantities of sugar are dissolved 
in them, and they are exposed to a summer temperature. 2. 
The germs of these organisms are present in the atmosphere, 
and every water contains them after momentary contact with 
air. 8. The development of these germs cannot take place 
without the presence of phosphoric acid, or a phosphate or 
phosphorus in some form of combination. Water, however 
much contaminated, if free from phosphorus, does not pro- 
duce them. A German philosopher has said “‘ ohne Phosphor 
kein Gedanke.’”? The above experiments warrant the alte- 
ration of this dictum to “‘ ohne Phosphor gar kein Leben.” — 
Nature, February 9th. 
Use of Gold Chloride in examining the Tissues—I may add 
some remarks to those of my friend Mr. Moseley, for the 
service of those who wish to make use of that most valuable 
reagent gold chloride. In all cases where it is wished to 
follow out fine nerve fibres, gold chloride is very valuable, 
though dilute acids have also advantages. It is also to be 
preferred in many respects to carmine in staining gland cells 
and connective tissue corpuscles. Combined with freezing 
for the purpose of cutting the sections to be acted on by it, 
its value is greatly enhanced. During the past winter, I 
have thus made use of the gold chloride, and can recommend 
the method strongly. A freezing mixture of salt and snow, 
a pair of wooden forceps (or an American clothes-peg) 
